Building A Heavy Arrow

[jeff]

Been playing with a 650 grain arrow for eland this year, depending on what broadhead it may be 690, haven't totally decided, am getting good flight with it at 650

 

[Lee M]

Jeff. I wouldn't change a thing if your getting good flight. Either is good for Eland. I assume that is with your compound, a modern arrow and a fixed fixed blade broadhead? Only asking that as I know that you are proficient with a long bow and wood arrows.

 

[jeff]

Yes that arrow is for my wheel bow and a cut on contact broadhead on the business end.

 

[kathy]

Lee, you can build a heavy arrow a lot of different ways. weight tube glued in, insert another smaller arrow inside the arrow you want to shoot, weed whacker line. Forrest

 

[jeff]

One of my favorites is to slide a small diameter rubber hose inside that you can get at the auto parts house by the foot.

 

[Lee M]

I saw a post on YouTube using small nylon rope. I will be experimenting over the next few months. Thx

 

[jeff]

I've added weed wacker line with ok results, but arrows were noisier and the line wanted to bounce back on impact and sometimes pop the nock out. Tried using the orange poly baling twine but it didn't work as it kept compressing and getting shorter and shorter inside the shaft. Have also put the rubber hose in and slid a weed wacker line inside it for a very heavy arrow and that worked well.

 

[G Skinner]

You guys trying to shoot carp in 20-30 feet of water ? Lighten up (literally ) I fully agree with KE and all that , but 60 ft\lbs is the minimum you need to hunt Eland . Not the 85 plus you people are talking about . Limit your distance and shoot straight ....archery is about " how close not how far " ! Sorry I'm really not trying to offend anyone but bigger is not always better . The dynamics of modern day bows have made our future .
Glen

 

[jeff]

Absolutely agree that how close not how far and that's the reason for a heavy arrow for eland , giraffe and other heavy weights. Light arrows were made so people could shoot farther and flatter. I'm a firm believer in momentum over KE . I like to strike a good compromise. Had poor results with light arrows even with a good cut on contact head on sable. Also my bow is way quieter with a heavier arrow.

 

[jeff]

Check out Alaska Bowhunting supply and watch some of their tests, and results on big 5 game.

 

[Lee M]

Agree but Eland is a step up from normal plains game, and Giraffe and Buffalo another level up

No issue with 450-500 grains for all regular plains game. I took a few with this combo including Zebra. Another 100 or so grains would not hurt for Eland if they shoot well from your bow. But from all I have read online and from what experienced hunters on this forum have had success with, 750 plus grains for Giraffe and Buffalo is needed. Go to you tube and watch Giraffe hunts. I have never seen an arrow penetrate to the fletching. Even the kills where the animal went less than 100 yards. The deepest I have seen were about 2/3rds penetration.

 

[G Skinner]

Dr Ashby's results really don't apply to modern compounds ...87 to 2008 ...bows have made leaps and bounds since then . Bow hunting is still about how close I can get not how far ...... JUST MY OPINION !
Glen

 

[Lee M]

Glen. I fully agree that it is all about getting as close as possible. I also agree that Bow speed and efficiency has overall increased dramatically in the last 30 years. But Ashby's data on momentum still applies. And for the FEW larger animals (the biggest of big game) a new bow can't make up for an insufficient standard 450 grain arrow. Speed is only one part of the equation.

 

[kathy]

I agree , momentum is what I want. I shoot 20/20 aluminum arrows 4" feathers , VPA 175 grain 3 blade solid broadhead, total weight 615 grains . nothing lighter regardless of what I am hunting. heaver yes. also I like a small diameter arrow. Forrest

 

[Lee M]

I have not shot the newer really thin arrows but the info on deeper penetration seems logical and and backed by science. My friend really likes the thin Victory arrows. I assume you may have to tweak your arrow rest up when tuning vs. other arrows. VPA's are fool proof. I shoot solid 150's

 

[kathy]

Lee, yes I had to tweak my arrow rest a little.
I haven't shot any of the victory arrows, but a lot of aluminum , shot 2514 for years ,was often teased about shooting logs.
my second trip to Africa I shot 2219 shaft, 630 grain total, had pass thru on 9 out of 10 animals . the one being a zebra 3/4 away arrow stopped in the heart.
my last trip I shot 20/20 shaft 615 grains 14 animals pass thru except blue wildebeest ,still 2 holes ,arrow fell out when wildebeest went down. the smaller diameter 20/20 shaft was found quite away from the animals shot.
Shot a Hartmann zebra at 17 yards arrow passed thru went about 70yards . zebra took 10 steps and fell over dead. Forrest

 

[Lee M]

Sounds like you have figured out the right combo for your bow! Can't beat VPA's on the tip!

 

[kathy]

I agree, VPA is the toughest Broadhead I have ever shot. ( over 50 years of bow hunting )
I would really like to shoot a Giraffe , but after I tore my rotor cuff I can't draw much more than 60lbs , the benefit's of getting old. Forrest

 

[grsep]

This has been great reading, thanks to all. I'm getting ready for August 2017 SA and taking my bow this time. I can't wait.

 

[G Skinner]

This has been great reading, thanks to all. I'm getting ready for August 2017 SA and taking my bow this time. I can't wait.

grsep.....Good luck and play safe . Also I wanna see lots of pictures when you get back !
Glen